South Downs National Park Trust
Analysis
South Downs National Park Trust is a registered charity in England and Wales, based in Midhurst. It was registered in October 2017, 9 years ago. Its declared purposes cover education/training, environment/conservation/heritage and economic/community development/employment, which this site groups under environment and conservation. Legally it is a charitable company (Companies House number 10719031). It says it makes grants to organisations and provides services.
In the financial year ending March 2025, South Downs National Park Trust reported income of £2.3m and spending of £1.6m, leaving 31% of income unspent that year. Across the 5 years on record, from March 2021 to March 2025, income grew from £898k to £2.3m (+161%), an average of +27% a year. The sharpest change came in the year to March 2023, when income rose by 87%. Over the whole period it spent 72% of the income it received.
Among 4,574 England and Wales charities whose main cause is environment and conservation and that reported income, South Downs National Park Trust sits at the 96th percentile: it is larger than about 96% of them. Against every charity in England and Wales with reported income it ranks in the 97th percentile. Charities of a similar size with the same main cause include Bell House Dulwich (£2.3m), Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (£2.4m) and Phyllis Rampton Narrow Gauge Railway Trust (£2.3m).
In its latest detailed accounts, income came from donations and legacies 92%, charitable activities 6.5% and investments 1.6%. Charitable activities took 93% of spending and raising funds 6.7%. Grants to other organisations totalled £1.5m. Reserves of £211k would cover about 2 months of spending at that rate.
Data notes from the register: The latest annual return was received after its deadline.
Income and spending
Where the income comes from
- Donations 92%
- Charitable activities 6.5%
- Investments 1.6%
In the charity's own words
We want to see more land managed for wildlife, more rare habitats protected, more local communities thriving and more people able to access and enjoy their National Park. This requires more investment and we want to secure and direct the substantial goodwill that exists for the South Downs to places where it can make a real difference.
Similar-sized charities, same cause
| Charity | Location | Income |
|---|---|---|
| Bell House Dulwich | London | £2.3m |
| Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management | Hampshire | £2.4m |
| Phyllis Rampton Narrow Gauge Railway Trust | Aberystwyth | £2.3m |
| The Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust | Lancaster | £2.4m |